Plaque, Gum Disease, and Tooth Loss

Plaque strikes people in the St. Louis area at all stages of life: from the youngest child through the elderly population. And as a family dentist, Dr. Dan Rathgeber of The Practice of Dan H. Rathgeber, D.D.S., P.C. can help patients of all ages by removing the build-up of plaque that accumulates between dental visits.

You can help reduce the accumulation of plaque if you brush and floss regularly. When this soft, sticky layer of bacteria is allowed to build up, it can have serious consequences for your teeth. Dr. Rathgeber is dedicated to educating the St. Louis area about the danger of plaque build-up leading to gum disease.

Avoiding the dentist can allow dental problems such as this to compound, leading to tooth loss. A missing tooth is not only unattractive, but it can cause structural problems in your mouth.

Some patients assume that as long as they’re still able to eat without their missing tooth, that there’s no problem. Dr. Rathgeber helps patients understand that just one missing tooth can lead to other oral difficulties. The remaining teeth may begin to drift into the empty space, causing a change in way you bite or chew. It also forces the remaining teeth to carry an additional load, and you may begin to experience pain when you’re eating—or even when you aren’t.

Our goal at The Practice of Dan H. Rathgeber, D.D.S., P.C. is to help you enjoy the best oral health possible, whether that’s simply removing plaque during a regular dental appointment or more advanced solutions such as replacing one or more missing teeth. Count on Dr. Rathgeber to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

For more information or to make an appointment, call The Practice of Dan H. Rathgeber, D.D.S., P.C. in St. Louis today at (314) 892-4445.